Ash tray



April 3, 1934 J. c. GORMAN 1,953,755

ASH TRAY Filed Dec. 28, 1932 Jqffs C. 60m/4N .Patented Apr. 3, 1934 pires As'lariis vPATENT OFFICE This invention is intended to provide a novel ash receiver or tray of simple construction having a large capacity in proportion to its size and adapted to easy emptying and cleaning as also very convenient use.

The ordinary ash tray designed to hold an appreciable amount of ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs is impossible or difficult to properly empty and clean because it does not afford ready access to the interior with a cloth or brush. Such trays as are made in separable parts to avoid this objection are usually somewhat expensive and less convenient to use than a tray of the open bowl type. The majorityof them also are poorly adapted to resting lighted cigars or cigarettes thereon without liability of tipping off as they burn down. These faults are sought to be eliminated in the tray forming the subject of this invention, which aims to provide an improved as well as a novel article of the' kind, embodying other desirable features.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the receiver or tray;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4--4 of Fis. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of the tray; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the several views, a suitable container is represented by the jar '7, in this instance molded from china clay and baked under a high furnace temperature so as to impart thereto great strength against breakage in addition to luster and beauty of finish. This jar is preferably cubical in shape as shown, not only to give it a maximum capacity in whatever size the same is made, but also to render it most effectually resistant to upsetting or rolling. The margins and corners of the container are desirably rounded off to eliminate sharp edges and add to the appearance thereof, while the possibility of upsetting any be further reduced by making the bottom thicker than the side walls and top so as to lower the center of gravity by the added weight. Various decorative designs may of course be incorporated by impression and coloringv or other operation upon the walls for greater attraction or beautification, two different characters of such design being represented in the container here illustrated.

The top of said container is formed with a cross-like opening 8 therein, disposed centrally with an arm or end extending toward each side or wall of the container nearly to the edge. The portions of the top around this opening are pressed or otherwise worked into formation of grooves 9 extending from the sides of the container to the edges of the opening, so as to provide holder rests for cigars or cigarettes and reinforce or strengthen the top surface in the manner or" corrugations cr ribs. While the top is in this instance an integral part of the container, it may if desired be removable as a separate cap or cover.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the aforesaid top opening is of substantially regular cross shape and the grooves (9) formed in the surrounding portions of the top are disposed diagonally thereacross toward a common center. In the modification of Figs. 5 and 5, the opening is of somewhat distorted cross shape and said grooves in the surrounding top portions are disposed parallel to the container sides or in tangential relation to a common center. In both cases however, these grooves extend from the corners of the container to the angles between arms of the opening, thereby giving them the greatest possible length for the surface available within the dimensions of the container. The undulation or corrugational contour thus given to the top around said opening adds greatly to its strength and prevents the saine from breaking if dropped, or the container is knocked top downward, onto the floor. ,It also imparts a novel appearance to the top in addition to aording adequate surfaces upon which lighted cigars or cigarettes may be rested without likelihood of tipping off. This in itself is an improvement upon the majority of ash-trays wherein the rests are so short that a cigar or cigarette will become unbalanced and fall off as it burns down.

Formed upon the inner wall surface at opposing two sides of the container are projecting ledge-portions 10 below the level and within the margins of the aforesaid top opening to provide snubbers upon which the cigars and cigarettes may be extinguished by crushing thereagainst. These ledge-portions are advantageously inclined at approximately forty-five degree angles to the walls of the container so as to cause the ashes and sparks to drop directly thereinto. They may be formed simply as lug enlargements of the wall thickness, but are preferably more in the nature of stirrups with side portions 10a esl integral with said walls and forming also continuations of the top portions surrounding the cross-like opening. This not only improves the appearance of the tray, but further strengthens 5 the entire structure without adding to its weight.

In order to empty and clean the container, it is necessary merely to invert it so that the ashes and stubs may drop out through either of the two corners or ends of the top opening below which the ledge-portions (10a) are omitted. Through these same ends, a brush or the nger with a cloth may thereafter be readily inserted to wipe out the entire interior, there being no parts which are not easily accessible to reach. Water may of course be used to facilitate the operation since there are no places for it to become lodged.

A very useful receiver or tray is accordingly provided, which will hold a large quantity of ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs in proportion to its size and which may be easily emptied and cleaned out as required. The article is also durable and not likely to break if dropped from the hand or table. Embodying every essential of the intended purpose, it is especially adapted for use on a card table where the ordinary receiver or tray is likely to be knocked over or off. Ashes and stubs once deposited therein are out of the way and there is no danger of their being scattered by a breeze. Since the tray is light and ,easy to handle, it may be moved and passed about Without chance of spilling and is never untidy or messy-to pick up. Therefore, it supplies a distinct need of the smoker. Its extremely simple construction moreover enables it to be produced at a very low cost, which is another decided advantage.

I claim:

l. An ash receiver or tray, comprising a hollow cubically shaped container having a cross-like opening disposed centrally in the top wall thereof and ledge projections from opposite side walls below the level and within the margins of said opening; the portions of the top wall around such opening being undulated into groove formations on lines extending from the side walls of the container to the edges of the opening so as to provide holder rests for cigars and cigarettes and reinforce or strengthen the top structure.

2. An ash tray, comprising a hollow container having a top wall with a cross-like opening disposed centrally therein and inclined ledges in opposite sides of the container integral with the top wall below the level and within the margins of said opening so as to provide snubbers for extinguishing lighted cigars or cigarettes; the portions of the top wall around said opening being formed into grooves for holding cigars and cigarettes.

3. An ash receiver and tray, comprising a hollow container body having a cross-like opening in its top; the portions of the top around said opening being formed into undulations on lines extending from the walls of the container to the edges of the opening so as to provide groove rests for cigars or cigarettes and reinforce the top structure, and projected ledges in opposite sides of the container between the groove rests and below the level and within the margins of said opening providing snubbers for extinguishing lighted cigar or cigarette stubs.

4. An ash tray, comprising a cubical receptacle body having a top wall with a cross-like opening disposed centrally therein; and projecting ledges on side walls of the body within the margins of said opening, the portions of the top wall around the opening being formed into undulations on lines extending from the Walls of the container to the edges of the opening toward a common center so as to provide groove rests for cigars or cigarettes and to reinforce the surface of the top in the manner of ribs.

5. An ash tray, comprising a square-shaped hollow receptacle having a top wall with a crosslike opening disposed centrally therein and projecting ledges on side walls of the receptacle within the margins of said opening at a different level from the top wall; the portions of the top Wall around said opening pressed or worked into undulations on lines extending diagonally from the corners of the container to the angles of the opening so as to provide groove rests for cigars or cigarettes and reinforce the surface of the top.

6. An ash tray, comprising a square-shaped hollow receptacle with a top having a cross-like opening disposed centrally therein the portions of the top around said opening being formed into undulations on lines parallel to the walls of the container from adjacent the respective corners thereof to the ends of the opening so as to provide groove rests for cigars or cigarettes and strengthen the surface of the top.

'7. An ash tray, comprising a hollow polygonallly shaped receptacle having a top formed with 

